such a shame considering what he did, it wasnt entirely surprising after his run of poor health, but, now, at least he can finally Rest In Peace. i have heard news that the UK's PM David Cameron, has requested to get the flag at No 10 flown at half mast, which, i think, is the least we can do as a country to respect a man that has influenced a lot of people in his life

R.I.P. to one of the world's finest... The world is a better place because of his work (and that of others, of course). His efforts, his persona, his being will be missed. He was certainly a gem the world needed.

I'm curious how this passing is being treated in countries besides those with a direct connection. The UK (and maybe the other Commonwealth Countries like Oz and Canada) had close ties to So Africa. The US had close ties to the racial divide.

Anyone from less involved countries care to comment? I think our 24 hour news coverage has been surprisingly good. There are so many historical events to cover and emphasize it's been so much more interesting than the typical 24 hour coverage of events and their anniversaries where the same tired stuff is repeated over and over.

We're hearing about Mandela's support of Cuba and the reaction here at the time, especially from the Commie hater, Reagan. They are covering the importance of Mandela's stand against stopping the revenge cycle that has been so damaging elsewhere in the world. They've covered how DeKlerk cooperated with Mandella's Presidency compared to the attacks on Obama in this country by the GOP leadership now.

There's a lot of history coming out, educating a lot of people who know so little about Apartheid.

You do know that Mandela reversed his stand on that violence early on right?

Judging from the date he was removed from the list, one can guess who wanted him on it and who took his name off the list even though it was Bush that signed the official order to remove the name. It's ridiculous that he was on the list past his incarceration. And while Conde Rice was opposed to the designation, one has to wonder if Bush didn't remove the name lest it embarrass him when predictably Obama would.

South Africa’s apartheid regime designated Mandela’s African National Congress (ANC) as a terrorist organization for its battle against the nation’s legalized system of racial segregation that lasted from 1948 to 1994.
Former U.K. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher also described Mandela’s ANC as a “typical terrorist organization” in 1987, refusing to impose sanctions on South Africa’s apartheid regime. President Ronald Reagan did as well.
In 1986, former Vice President Dick Cheney, then a congressman, voted along with 179 other members of the House against a non-binding resolution to recognize the ANC and call on the South African government to release Mandela from prison. The measure finally passed, but not before a veto attempt by Reagan.
In 2000, Cheney maintained that he'd cast the correct vote.

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This country's leadership has always been on the side of self interest (Dare I add rich white male? Too soon? ), with human rights being much more of a faux issue.

Does anyone else read RIP as the word "rip" and find that it cheapens the sentiment almost immediately. Take four seconds to say something meaningful that contributes to the discussion of his legacy, rather than doing the literally fastest thing possible to show (and to make sure everyone else sees) that you care.

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If RIP is all someone says, it sounds a bit like that. What irks me a lot more is when people try to turn this into a political thread. It's an obituary thread - have some respect! If you want to debate Mandela's politics or tactics he used at certain points of his life, take it somewhere else.

It is, and it is. What I was saying (and I think @We Are Cartographers was, too) is that it's a bit cheap if that's ALL you say. When someone important (globally or personally) dies, they deserve a little more than a rubber stamp obit. We should take the four seconds (or more) WAC recommends and say something of our own.